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WAR Against Graft: NSITF, ICPC Join Forces to Combat Corruption
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to ensure accountability of subscribers’ funds, the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), is collaborating with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to strengthen its internal capacity to fight corruption and win public trust.
The partnership is geared towards detection of corruption within the Fund, and promote good governance; uphold accountability and integrity while it maintains its commitment to ethical principles.
The Managing Director of NSITF, Barrister Oluwaseun Faleye, explained this on Tuesday when he led a management delegation on a courtesy call to the Chairman of the ICPC, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, noting that the collaboration could redefine the fight against corruption in the NSITF and the country.
He pointed out that the partnership was very critical to efforts and desire to eradicate corruption, stating that the gathering underscored a shared vision; merging time-honoured values with bold, forward-thinking reforms.
Barrister Faleye said: “NSITF has long prided itself on upholding the highest ethical standards. We are fully dedicated to fostering a culture of transparency and integrity.
“This meeting wasn’t just a routine protocol, it was a decisive step toward a collaborative future with the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), an agency that stands as a bulwark against corrupt practices.”
Buttressing the Fund’s determination in this regard, he said, “the commitment is clear, by empowering its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and launching a comprehensive, Fund-wide campaign on corruption prevention. With about 120 staff earmarked to serve as ACTU liaison officers, the institution is reinforcing its traditional values of accountability and public trust.
“The fewer the scandals, the greater the trust our people have in us. This isn’t merely a regulatory exercise, it’s a strategic move to reclaim the public’s confidence. By embracing established practices of rigorous audit, internal compliance, and capacity building, NSITF and ICPC are set to create a robust, corruption-resistant framework.
“The message is unambiguous, ethical governance isn’t just good practice; it’s the only way to honor the legacy of our institutions and safeguard the future.”
He added that “a time when public scrutiny is at its peak, this meeting signals a turning point. By aligning traditional accountability with modern anti-corruption strategies, NSITF is not only preserving the trusted values of the past but also charting a sustainable course for the future. In the battle against corruption, collaboration and steadfast integrity remain the ultimate game changers.”
In his response, the Chairman of ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, echoed
the importance of ICPC and NSITF as two agencies that are very sensitive and critical to national development.
Dr. Aliyu said, “for any MDA that is dealing with funds, there are a lot of risks and challenges, especially in dealing with employees, and the funds contributed by workers. That is why your job is very sensitive.
“I quite agree with you that your most valuable asset is trust, and confidence. If people have confidence in you, they will be willing to make their contributions, but once they don’t have that confidence, you will be facing a lot of challenges.
“So, as an agency, the ICPC has a preventive mandate, which in my view, is more important because we shouldn’t allow issues to happen that will lead to investigation. This wastes a lot of time and it is causing a lot of problems that will be difficult for us to manage.
“That is why there is the need for the two agencies to come together to see how we can work so that both of us can work effectively to prevent corruption.”
News
Police pensioners set to stage peaceful protect at NASS over bills
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Kaduna State Chapter of Retired Police Officers has announced plans to stage a peaceful protest over the non-passage of two pension bills currently before the Senate next Tuesday in Abuja.
The Chairman of the Retirees, Kaduna State Chapter, CSP Mannir Lawal Zaria (retd), stated this in a press statement issued to the media shortly after their monthly general meeting held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Kaduna.
The retired police officers are urging the passage of two bills currently pending at the National Assembly.
These bills seek to exclude the Nigeria Police from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) and establish the Nigeria Police Pension Board.
CSP Zaria announced that the planned peaceful protest will take place at the premises of the National Assembly in Abuja next Tuesday.
According to him, the protest is intended to press home their demand to exclude police retirees from the Contributory Pension Scheme and to establish the police pension board.
The statement further read, “During the meeting, we received reports of the alarming number of deaths among police retirees. Within one week, seven retirees were buried due to extreme poverty,” he lamented.
“Our children are out of school, from nursery to tertiary institutions. Our members can no longer afford medical expenses, let alone provide for their families. As a result, we have lost all respect from our families.”
In a related development, the retirees accused the Nigeria Police of allegedly planning to introduce a new pension scheme called the “100 and 80% Pension Scheme.”
According to the retirees, the scheme would grant police officers from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Commissioner of Police 100% of their salaries as a pension, while officers from Chief Superintendent of Police to Constable would receive 80% of their salaries. (Nigerian Tribune: Text, Excluding Headline)
News
SAD! Abductors k!ll soldier over delayed ransom payment
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Kidnappers have killed a Nigerian Army non-commissioned officer, Abdulfatai Odutola, over a delay in ransom payment.
Recall that Odutola, a Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO), was abducted on February 15, 2025, along the Abuja-Jos highway.
He was reportedly travelling to Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the time of the incident.
His kidnappers had demanded a ransom of N20 million for his release.
A military internal memo earlier obtained by SaharaReporters had read, “Pls information reaching me now from this sldr whisky that MWO Abdulfatai Odutola (CC 23 BDE Yola) was kidnapped yesterday along Abuja-Jos Road, while returning to Yola. He left Ilorin on Friday 14th of Feb 2025 and slept at Abuja. He continued his movement from Abuja yesterday b4 the incident happened to him.
“Currently they are demanding N20,000,0000 for his release. Pse appropriate authority should help the sldr.”
However, another internal memo revealed that the body of the senior personnel has been recovered.
“Information reaching us now from Yola is that the above MWO Abdulfatai Odutola’s body was discovered by police from Jos forest killed by his kidnappers after passing deadline for payment of 20 million naira ransom payment demanded by his kidnappers. Also his car was discovered. Kindly take action.”
SaharaReporters recently reported that Boko Haram/Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists killed three army personnel during an attack on a military base in Borno State.
The terrorists reportedly attacked the military facility in Isige town, Gwoza Local Government Area, for several hours.
According to a source, the terrorists destroyed several buildings and stole two gun trucks during the assault.
“There was an attack recently in Borno, one Staff Sergeant with two private soldiers were killed. However, the army authorities are silent over the attack which happened at a base in Isige Town, Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State.
“They burnt one military vehicle while they went away with two gun trucks, later reinforcement came from nearby unit but then the Boko Haram fighters have left,” the source said. (SaharaReporters: Text, Excluding Headline)
News
Canada gives new guidelines For Asylum Seekers Insists Evidence Of insecurity must be proven
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Canada’s immigration authorities have clarified that seeking asylum does not provide an automatic exemption from immigration laws.
The Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) emphasised that individuals seeking asylum must demonstrate that returning to their home country would subject them to serious harm in order to avoid deportation.
The asylum system is designed to offer protection to those fleeing threats such as torture, persecution, and inhumane treatment.
IRCC has reiterated that the asylum process is not a shortcut to entering the country.
Applicants must provide verifiable evidence of persecution and undergo multiple checks, including medical examinations, biometric data collection, and security screenings.
The statement reads, “It is a rigorous process to determine whether you have a legitimate need for refugee protection according to Canadian and international laws. Our rules-based system will determine the validity of your claim. It’s important to understand that not all claims will be accepted. If you make an asylum claim in Canada, you will need to:
Have health, criminal, security and other background checks
Get a medical exam
Provide personal and biometric (photo and fingerprints) information
Provide concrete evidence of persecution and the risks of being in your home country
Declare on your application if you are working with a representative, even if you’re not paying them
“Providing false information on your refugee claim application is considered lying, and your application may be refused.
“You’ll be removed from Canada if you don’t have a legitimate claim or are not eligible to make a claim in Canada. It can take a long time to get a final decision on your asylum claim. There’s no guarantee that you will be allowed to stay in Canada.”
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